New year, new month, new round! Welcome all to the 59th round of the Dakka Painting challenge. For those who haven't seen the challenge before, it is a community-focused friendly competition open to anyone on the site, regardless of your skill level or experience. Every round contributes towards a League table, which ultimately means nothing but is a lot of fun to keep an eye on and jockey for position with Dakka's other painters.

This month, the theme is 'Not as clumsy or random'. We're looking for models toting weaponry or equipment that requires precision, elegance and skill over brute force. The duellist's rapier, the assassin's rifle, the thief's pick, the samurai's katana, so on and so forth.


How To Enter
- You may enter up to 5 MODELS as a SINGLE ENTRY, and are permitted one entry per member per month. If you enter multiple models, they should ideally be related in some way, such as part of the same squad, unit or scene if you are doing a diorama
- You MUST post a 'proof' picture of your entry in the thread of the state it was in before you started working on it; this must be either unassembled, unpainted, primed or coated a single colour. Entries that do not submit a valid Proof Picture will not be eligible for voting.
- After this, you may post WIP pictures in this thread and your own if you wish, and on completing the entry, you may post up to 6 final pictures IN THIS THREAD that will then be used for voting. Please note that pictures in a montage or collage picture will be considered individual images for this purpose, so while these types of presentation are certainly acceptable, please keep the image limit in mind when compiling them. For example, a collage of 5 images and one separate image would count as your 6 picture allowance.


So What Do I Win?
- Points... and points mean... bragging rights for the next month! Following the vote, points will be awarded to every entrant. This year, the Points you receive will be equal to the Percentage of Votes your entry receives in the final Voting thread; if you get 10%, you get 10 points, if you get 6% you get 6 points, so on and so forth.

These points will be used to form a league table, which will be updated month on month as the results come in. The overall winner of the League for this year will receive a set of Dakka Dice.


How Long Do I Have?
This challenge begins 1st of January and will end at midnight UK time on the 31st of January. After this, I shall compile the finished entries into a new thread, and voting will run for 5 days.

List of Entrants:

A pair of swordsmen, serving in the Deathwatch, armored with the best protection in the Imperium.

Doing another set of adventurers I think:


A ranger, a rogue, and a martial artist, all very precision based warriors.
Hobby side question, reaper put some mold lines right down the arm and foot wrappings on the orc-how do people normally clean those out on metal, because my usual back of the hobby knife scraping isn't wanting to work?

Vejut wrote:

Hobby side question, reaper put some mold lines right down the arm and foot wrappings on the orc-how do people normally clean those out on metal, because my usual back of the hobby knife scraping isn't wanting to work?

For some, a little knife work will do. Either the back, or lightly shave with the blade.
The next step is files. I have an old set of needle files that I use. The different shapes help with the assorted curves and angles. The half-round and square get the most use, but all see service.

I plan on ordering one of the new Jain Zar models for this. She’s always been a favorite of mine.

Proof pics when it arrives.

Hopefully I don’t dink out on this, I want to do more fun painting this year!!!!

So mine has a bit of a split personality as two models have yet to arrive. I am going to paint some oop metal Kasrkin models, I have four right now, but only intend to use three for the competition and the two enroot to complete the challenge and make a legal sized unit...but if they do not arrive in time then I guess I will enter the four I have.




Cheers,

CB

I will add my take

If they want to survive then they will hide in the shadows and wait for the right time to thrust the blade.

Here's my entry: Janus Draik may not be the strongest fighter, but he knows exactly where to hit the vital points of an enemy with his trusted rapier. And Ghor Half-Horn may look like an uncivilised butcher, but his chainsword is his weapon of last resort. All his energy goes into maintaining his archaic plasma pistol (christened "Belle") to pick his enemies off before they reach him.

I'll be entering inquisitor eisenhorn. Or at least a (pretty terrible) conversion attempt I rescued from ebay. I'll be honouring the original conversion.

Alright let's see if this helps whittling down my pile of shame ... I'll be entering the Shadowspear Eliminators:

I'm going to try my hand at an old metal Nightbringer model my friend asked me to paint. It's pretty beat up so it will be a good chance to practice my GS sculpting skills. I'll post the proof when I get home tonight.

Going to paint up my Necropolis Stalkers.

New Year, new hobby goals to ̶f̶a̶l̶l̶ ̶s̶h̶o̶r̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ complete. I have a tournament first weekend of February, so I have to get these guys painted. The wife bought me an airbrush for Christmas, so this should go much smoother than my last few attempts at this.

My Archon and Succubus, ready to smack down some lesser beings.

My proof pic and first days progress. Corvo from Dishonored by W Artel miniatures. Stone on the base is done ready for the gold feature.

This theme is a good fit for a long-time item on my to-do list: these three assassins. Two of them have been hanging around unpainted since the 90s, and one I got as a prize in a little local tournament. I want to push my skill with shading and highlighting black, and I just picked up fresh pots of Corvus Black and Nuln Oil for the purpose. I think they'll add some depth to my Sororitas army and maybe round out a fun Inquisition/Scions/Bullgryns list I've been tinkering with.

Made some progress today, all the darker colours are blocked in and washed. Planning a white undershirt with gold laces to give me some contrast but open to any other suggestions.

Still waiting for the relevant bits to be restocked at my supplier but I got a nifty idea for a Callidus Assassin to add to my suicide squad Execution Force

Proof.

Hi,

this is my first post here on dakkadakka :-)

I will join in with my Ork Field Surgeon aka Painboy - hope it fits the theme.


Apparently I cannot send an url in my first post, will post the proof later.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Proof here:



Sorry for doubleposting :-(

You don't get much more precise than an Assassin, and therefore that is what I will be entering as my entry this month!



Edit: had model prepared unfortunately too much happened to get time to complete!:

 spetex wrote:
Hi,

this is my first post here on dakkadakka :-)

I will join in with my Ork Field Surgeon aka Painboy - hope it fits the theme.

Welcome to Dakka and the competition!

In an army of brute force choppas, his is the scalpel blade. Sounds as close to the theme as you get from orcs! For the most part the theme is just a guideline; if you think it fits, it probably does. The main goal is to pull together as a community, push our skills and help each other improve, and have fun.

I'm in again this month!

I'm hoping to start my JSA force for Infinity, and this will be my first model.
An Oniwaban, or elite ninja, who uses subterfuge and a sword in a world full of heavy machine guns and combat drones. Basically a space ninja- not clumsy or random at all.

Carrying on the Infinity theme i'll be painting this Umbra Legate from the Combined Army.



His blade is almost as tall as he is but i'm sure he's pretty handy with it!

dukeofbeer wrote:
I'm in again this month!

I'm hoping to start my JSA force for Infinity, and this will be my first model.
An Oniwaban, or elite ninja, who uses subterfuge and a sword in a world full of heavy machine guns and combat drones. Basically a space ninja- not clumsy or random at all.

Spoiler:

Made some more progress today, it's really hard to see in the pics but I went for white shirt with red laces. The pose makes this dude really difficult to photograph.

Progress on the first four models of which I will use three for the competition.



Other two have arrived.

Cheers,

CB

My entry for January is going to be Amallyn Shadowguide, the Aeldari Ranger from Blackstone Fortress. Here's my proof:

Oh good one, Zersmasher! I have that and totally should have done it as well! I wouldn’t have had to order Jain Zar. Lol

Did I ever mention how much I love freehand?

My first entry in a competition.
An old school WHFB Vampire or Vampire Lord model which I digged out recently and started recently.

Might not be valid under the rules friend.

Hi guys. Back after a long hiatus. Going to try and do 1 project a month this year. Lofty goals I know...

Here's my subject for January:

Model: Asha
Maker: Robot Rocket Miniatures
Scale: 1/10

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Might not be valid under the rules friend.

Ok no problem mate, if not then not. It's my mini, I modelled it, based and started painting recently. If that is not ok then just delete my entry.

To clarify, the issue is that you started the painting before the beginning of the month. To be eligible, you must provide an image of the mini as it was at the start of the month, which must be unassembled, unprimed, primed or basecoated with only a single colour. Please see the full rules in the OP for more specific details on eligibility.

Do feel free to resubmit a new entry that meets the requirements.

 Blooddragon1981 wrote:

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Might not be valid under the rules friend.

Ok no problem mate, if not then not. It's my mini, I modelled it, based and started painting recently. If that is not ok then just delete my entry.

Yeah it's supposed to be stuff started on or after the start of the month. Check with para, he's the jefe of the operation. I was just letting you know.

I'm going to enter this lassy who I've made into an inquisitor

Sienna fromRackhams Confrontation range

Squad of Storm Troopers from the 144th Company. Used in special insertions and missions or to enforce discipline at the orders of a Commissar. Their work is never clumsy or random.







Cheers,

CB

PS: Removed a load of blue background.

Cant be clumsy when you look like a copper top Duracell

I haven't managed to start yet, my son thought it would be funny to take my paint handle and forget where he put it so I'm now waiting for replacements

This makes me so f@&$#ing happy to see.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:

 Blooddragon1981 wrote:

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Might not be valid under the rules friend.

Ok no problem mate, if not then not. It's my mini, I modelled it, based and started painting recently. If that is not ok then just delete my entry.

Yeah it's supposed to be stuff started on or after the start of the month. Check with para, he's the jefe of the operation. I was just letting you know.

Yeah I get it but would it make a difference when I would say that I started it in January instead of December? You are aware that people make things up as they want. I do not like lying hence I was honest but if that makes such a difference then ok, no problems ;-)

P.S. What about people posting minis which are already painted or being mid-painted? And for a fact they can make up any 'starting date' they wish.

After a few months hiatus from painting, I thought entering this competition might get my gears started again! I'll enter with a Tech Priest Enginseer. I believe working as an Enginseer will need quite some precision (except for hitting people with his axe).

Nice to see a few returning names that haven't popped up in a while this month! Looking forward to your entries!

For those wondering about last month's update/vote, it's still coming! Irritatingly, this flu is still lingering so I'm not operating at 100%, but I'll endeavour to at least get the OP updates done today even if not the vote.

 Blooddragon1981 wrote:


Yeah I get it but would it make a difference when I would say that I started it in January instead of December? You are aware that people make things up as they want. I do not like lying hence I was honest but if that makes such a difference then ok, no problems ;-)

P.S. What about people posting minis which are already painted or being mid-painted? And for a fact they can make up any 'starting date' they wish.

Once again, please see the challenge rules in the OP, this is all explained there.The proof picture rules define exactly how far along a mini can be painted to be considered eligible (no more than a one colour basecoat), and all the entries so far are conforming to this rule. Anyone posting WIPs or finished entries has already posted a valid proof picture and is thus fine to enter (and post whatever progress shots they wish to)

Sure, people could lie about when they started their entry, and it's probably happened once or twice over the 5 years this has been running, but I sincerely doubt many people are going to lie for the sake of being able to enter a community-run friendly challenge with nothing to actually be won that exists purely to motivate people to get stuff painted. Sort of defeats the purpose to enter something you've already done!

Some nice looking projects already, looing forward to seeing the finished results. Still haven't decided exactly what I'll be doing but I think some kind of elf will fit the bill, just need to decide on fantasy or space variety. Going to post proof pic of all options now so I don't forget

Nice work, Cpt. Brown! Always loved the Karskins.

My model has yet to show but shipping suggests by Friday. Some good weekend painting will follow! (Hopefully!)

I've started, layered the Sgt's armou.
I need to get some paint retarder and bits to make a wet palette again

Couple of WIP photos of ol' Gregor. Loving this 54mm nostalgia. Always loved inquisitor but as a 10 year old kid I had neither the modelling skill nor the funds to get any.

That's looking awesome QAR, are the small skills on the back of the cloak also freehand or transfers? If it's freehand have you got any tips for doing tiny shapes like the little halo's?

The corner embellishments are decals, from the FW blood angels sheet. I could freehand something like that but if you've got a decal then why not.

for something like that my only advice would be the same as for most freehand. a decent brush with a good point, a steady hand, and lots of practice, usually with lots of small mistake corrections too!

I guess I just need more practice then, it's one of those things I hardly ever do. Cheers

That's all it is, Ive always drawn and painted since I was young before I got into miniature painting, so that gave me a bit of a head start.

Well here she is my Inquisitor Valeria aimed for something subtle and understated a typical if well armed Imperial servant rather than a hellfire and brimstone power armoured psycho.



Will probably redo photographs in better lighting.

Seems I posted yesterdays progress in last month's thread
So will try again. Almost finished now just planning some more highlights for the metallics and contemplating putting some snow on the base.
As always feedback is very much welcome and appreciated.

Getting a little bit of an Assassin's Creed vibe from that piece, JamieShred. Looks pretty good!

Cheers Zergsmasher. It's from W Artel miniatures and I believe it's supposed to be the dude from Dishonored.

Still waiting on my Jain Zar....might have to switch to something else but have no idea what to...

Alright. I failed miserably on my first and only attempt on this, but honestly 2019 was a bit of an overall fail year for me and the hobby. So I'm also going to try and enter a small project to this each month in an attempt to increase overall consistency.

January, 2020 - Three Kabalite Warriors

Assembled, unprimed

I'm really lacking hobby focus this year and doing lots of little things simultaneously and nearly forgot about my entry. Did the three base colors, metals and a wraithbone base for contrast paints are next. I really don't like the Draik model, that's why I entered him, so he'll be done. On the other hand I really like the Gor Half-Horn model, but good lord, he has so much detail, he looks like a Liefeld character, so many pouches and weapons.

Since it looks unlikely that my bitz seller will restock the necessary parts and in time for me to do my intended project for this month, I'm going to be doing up this Company Champion instead. I've blocked in the bone details in this already as I didn't intend for this to be my project but I think that's okay with the rules?

A bit of Progress on my entry! I‘m experimenting with a few colours which I haven‘t used before. Will most likely redo the creme parts on the clothing again and pinwash them.

Looking good guys.

I'm puttering along with some paintjobs that aren't entirely fitting with the theme and probably won't be done in the month so I'm thinking of sitting this one out. Might drop in with a small model near the end of the month, we'll see.

In the meantime, keep up the good work everyone.

Lots of great projects going on this month. Throwing my hat in the ring with Jain Zar.

WIP of Amallyn Shadowguide:

Plenty of work to be done, but she's coming together nicely so far.

I've been looking through all my skeletons trying to find one that is wielding a sword - no luck though - I found a bow, however.

I guess you need to aim it at least...
(Proof soon)


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Proofy proofy proof

Of my least random or clumsy skeleton I have - the only skeleton who needs to aim!

At this rate, I'll finish my box before the year is done!
All thanks to the competition

Basing. First time trying to put something together with more structure rather than just throwing rubbish and debris on there. Got all the plasticard and brass etch from 4d models in London. Place has everything!

Wow where has the month gone, haven't got my proof pic up yet or even finished building what I wanted to enter. looks like Im in trouble

Sorry for the delay in updating the league table I have been (and still am) very busy. By the time I got around to it was worth waiting for a double update rather than 2 1 week apart.

Table updated and just 2 more challenges to go looking close at the top

League Table
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/732117.page

Think I'm finished. Comments and criticism very much appreciated, this is the most time I have ever spent on a single model, everything has at least three shades of highlight but I know my brush control needs some more work to get those fine lines sharp.

Looks good! Black highlights work well, though I'd try to do slightly wider strips of mid tones on it, especially on the right thigh--bit of an abrupt transition. Still probably finer lines than I'm managing.

Made more progress on my enginseer. I highlighted the coat and painted his face.

That cloak's coming out really nice.

I have the last week of this month off and no plans, so I'll out myself in relatively late in the day with this elf:



Originally purchased it a few years ago for a now ex-girlfriend, was going to paint it up for her birthday, but things fell apart before then and it's been sitting on my painting desk ever since. Long since time I got it out of the way.

Should have time to get these girls done and they’re definitely not clumsy or random!

 Midget Gems wrote:
Wow where has the month gone, haven't got my proof pic up yet or even finished building what I wanted to enter. looks like Im in trouble

Sorry for the delay in updating the league table I have been (and still am) very busy. By the time I got around to it was worth waiting for a double update rather than 2 1 week apart.

Table updated and just 2 more challenges to go looking close at the top

League Table
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/732117.page

Oophf. Those two missing months really do hurt! Key takeaway: submit something every month for 2020!

My bois are done. I just need to take better photos of them sometime this week for the final pics.

@Jadenim: Thank you very much!

@DV8: Those "Bone Samurais" (I know that's not what they are called, but I don't want to look up their real name) are looking great! Very nice colour gradients, I especially like the swords! Only think I don't like about these models are these little knobs on the breastplate, as they look like nipples (i.e. as from a dog) o_O Personally, I would have cut them off...

now I cant unsee dog nipples...

@queen_annes_revenge: You're welcome!

Vejut wrote:
Looks good! Black highlights work well, though I'd try to do slightly wider strips of mid tones on it, especially on the right thigh--bit of an abrupt transition. Still probably finer lines than I'm managing.

Cheers Vejut. Your spot on with the highlight widths I often find my first highlight goes on super fine and neat which doesn't leave me enough room for a further fine highlight, will keep working on that.

I hate you both.

Still not trimming them off though; in truth you barely see them in person. I'm just going to start calling them my War Dogs. #WakandaForever

@DV8: Sorry for that! But I personally wouldn't trimm them either, if I had already painted them. Still, they are painted beautifully!

Thanks! I think it's a consistent design aesthetic on all the OBR models; all the chestplates have rivets that run down the mid point, right around nipple width.

DV8, those undead samurai looking damn sweet!

I'll be painting Zondnautika, a transformer bike, the bot will be done sometime in the future.

 DV8 wrote:

 Midget Gems wrote:
Wow where has the month gone, haven't got my proof pic up yet or even finished building what I wanted to enter. looks like Im in trouble

Sorry for the delay in updating the league table I have been (and still am) very busy. By the time I got around to it was worth waiting for a double update rather than 2 1 week apart.

Table updated and just 2 more challenges to go looking close at the top

League Table
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/732117.page

Oophf. Those two missing months really do hurt! Key takeaway: submit something every month for 2020!

My bois are done. I just need to take better photos of them sometime this week for the final pics.

Always felt that the asthetic of the OBR is what Tomb Kings should have been in WFB, as far as asthetic, maybe with a bit more of Egyptian Theme.. but the old Egyptian theme was pretty poorly done in the old Tomb Kings. I dig these man.. and yes.. dog nipples. It's like the many breasts of certain slanneshi things... err seekers. tits, tits, all the way down.

Pretty much done. Might apply a matte varnish to take the shine off his cloak. Probably take final photos tomorrow.

My entry for this challenge is my Jackal Alphus. I will paint her in the same style as the rest of my genestealer cultists.

Here is my finished entry, Jain Zar. She was a labor of love, can’t wait for GW to release more Phoenix Lords.

Completed Vampire.
Took a while but I think it came pretty decent.
Sorry for pictures quality, they never show the real colour pallet.

Done. Not only do the inquisitors weapons need to not be clumsy or random, but neither can his mind!

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Done. Not only do the inquisitors weapons need to not be clumsy or random, but neither can his mind!

Gorgeous as always QAR! Is that sword from the old Abaddon model?

Aye its the old drachnyen. It came as part of the conversion I bought on ebay, but one of the arrows on the crossguard had been cut off, so I had to fashion a replacement. Im waiting for an old resin Abby in the post for conversions, so I may replace the sword when that arrives. I liked the idea of using the old components that would've been available in that 2000-2001 period when inquisitor came out.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Aye its the old drachnyen. It came as part of the conversion I bought on ebay, but one of the arrows on the crossguard had been cut off, so I had to fashion a replacement. Im waiting for an old resin Abby in the post for conversions, so I may replace the sword when that arrives. I liked the idea of using the old components that would've been available in that 2000-2001 period when inquisitor came out.

Great job mate! And a cool mini as well

Oh crap, it’s the 25th. For a month that classically drags on forever, we’re almost out of time!



Still need to do the grey edges, a few more detail passes, bases and shoulderpads. Hopefully get most of it done this weekend.

 queen_annes_revenge wrote:
Done. Not only do the inquisitors weapons need to not be clumsy or random, but neither can his mind!

That coat lining is gorgeous, My favourite sort of red tone, more purple/magenta than orange.

Some work in progress pic of my painboy. Tomorrow is gonna be hell of a fun since Ive almost finished my basecoats.

Very crisp and clean basecoats spetex!

Nice work Jamie Shred, the model looks very good, the only thing that looks out of place is some of the highlights on the legs, I feel they would work better if not as sharp or blended in a bit more.

Rofl at the Dog Nipples comment (still wonderful painting DV8)

Lovely work Queen Anne, the red you have done is such a great colour, and the free hand on the cape looks just part of it

Well done Yorkright, nice colours and col model

Good entry Blooddragon1981, i like the simplicity of the limited palette

Nice WIP spetex, I like the tones to the Ork skin already

Life, the kids and work are really not giving me any breaks at the moment to get anything done on the hobby. Will see what I can do in the few days before Friday

Proof for my Ork Traktor kannon - Auto hits (with Orks/Grots shooting it!) so you can't get much more accurate than that

I'm so far behind, I should be able to finish them though

nice sig there pal! I cant remember what comment its from though ha.

Lol, click on your name in the quote and you'll see

haha oh yeah. those vintage paint guides.

 Midget Gems wrote:
Nice work Jamie Shred, the model looks very good, the only thing that looks out of place is some of the highlights on the legs, I feel they would work better if not as sharp or blended in a bit more.

Thanks for the feedback I think the trousers were somewhat doomed from the start due to colour choices. I wanted dark blue pants and black cloak so went for my usual eshin grey washed black on the cloak and dark reaper for the pants. In hindsight I don't really have the colours to push the dark reaper enough to contrast with the black and probably should have used blues instead of Grey's for the highlights.

Lots of cool stuff (finished and WIP) floating around. I'm nearly done, the chainsword needs hazard stripes and his guns need a little more color, the holstered ones are gonna get a wooden handle and the plasma a green metallic coat.

Subject Poll for next month!
https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/784858.page#10698909

All your minis are looking great so far! I hope I‘ll be able to finish mine in time! Only the backpack and the base are left to be painted.

Final pics:

Everything looks amazing, y'all! I'll barely get my assassins done in time... I got distracted building scenic bases so they could all have some crumbling stonework behind them, even the classic ones. Nothing motivates like the deadline!

Looking great, Lord McCallister and DV8!

Finally got around to putting something up - January is always almost impossible to get anything painted for me!

Anyhow, not much time but I'm determined to enter every month!

Anyhow, I'm going to paint this Stormcast Sequitor with her 'stormsmite maul' and 'soul shield' (I had to look that up on the GW website!) The GW coloured plastic always seems a little dodgy to me but I like the sculpt...

Good luck everyone!

There is one last evening tmrw and we are done!

Another WIP

My plan is now more cleaning up and highlight the handtool + do some more work on his face. If I get some extra time I want to think and try something with all of the syringes, I want them to look more like there is liquid blood inside. Maybe a coat of gloss varnish. I dunno.




Guys your submissions are looking awesome, cant wait to see all of the final photos!

Thank you very much, Chris56! Wow DV8, these are really impressive!

I finished my Enginseer! I hope I‘ll be able to take better photos than these before the deadline.

 spetex wrote:
There is one last evening tmrw and we are done!

My plan is now more cleaning up and highlight the handtool + do some more work on his face. If I get some extra time I want to think and try something with all of the syringes, I want them to look more like there is liquid blood inside. Maybe a coat of gloss varnish.

I think it needs some shades relative to what gravity would do to the vials. So the ones pointing straight up on its back need a darker section at the top and the one pointing down on the pistol would need darker sections towards the base of the vial. This will help sell that there is something inside then gloss varnish can help make it look like its housed in glass.

While most terminators are content with the unsubtle powerfist or brutal thunderhammers, some choose the precision of the powersword.

Look at the time, its 48hrs to go! Better get posting some pics!


Looking good everyone! Some amazing models showing up this month!


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Entry finished! Presenting Brother Lorian, Champion of the Blood Raven's Fifth Company!













For what he looked like until 6 months ago - see below. Warning, I painted this less than 1year into my hobby journey

Looking good deadshot, and a nice improvement.

Got my adventurers done, with a quicky cell pic to celebrate and in case I don't get the dslr out in time:


Iffy on the center one's sword, but I think the skin on him came out nice at least.

Tada!! Done!



The least clumsy skeleton in my collection of Wargames Atlantic skellies! - I'm dreading the day that the space marine prompt comes up...

I got loin-cloths and bases left to do and 29 hours to procrastinate in.

My submission:






Bigger Images here:

https://static.spetex.cz/display/painboy-front1000.jpg
https://static.spetex.cz/display/painboy-back1000-2.jpg
https://static.spetex.cz/display/painboy-overhead1000.jpg

Pfew so much work, I loved it, lets do next challenge

Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

I am nearly done, should be able to take pictures on Saturday if that's ok

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Damn, sorry to hear that Para, hope you get better soon...that's an incredible achievement you accomplished.
If you can paint in a day or two you could extend the challenge for few days I'm sure everybody would agree.
I'm for it 110%.

 Modock wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Damn, sorry to hear that Para, hope you get better soon...that's an incredible achievement you accomplished.
If you can paint in a day or two you could extend the challenge for few days I'm sure everybody would agree.
I'm for it 110%.

Para,

I’ll second Modock on this. If you need more time, take it. You have always been willing to push things out a bit for everyone else. We are more then willing to grant you the same. We can leave this one open for a little longer and start in on the next. We all know you only need 5 minutes to bang out a top level entry anyway.

Feel better, take what time you need. And cut yourself the same slack you would for everyone else!

Wow Paradigm! What a streak! I'm sorry to hear you haven't been able to be painting. Agreed with the above- if anyone deserves some leeway, it's you.

Here's mine this month





This is my first figure for my new infinity JSA force. I'm aiming to get a cool purple and gold color scheme going. Not quite happy with the gold yet, will have to keep working on the recipe, but nice to have a test mini done!

Whew! Barely made it... It'll be midnight in the UK before I get home from work in Colorado, so tonight was my deadline. I am in awe (again) at the caliber of everyone's entries... well done, all. My contribution won't measure up, but I took on some challenges and I'm pretty happy with the outcome. For the record, this entry represents a model I've owned unpainted for decades, a repaint of a shoddy paint job I did long ago, and a newer prize from a recent FLGS event, so that's a fun trifecta. Also, my first attempt at lenses, three different experimental color schemes (Corvus, Skavenblight, Dawnstone), and scenic bases so that everyone could have some crumbling masonry to stand next to. There's a few things I'd take another run at with more time (and some new brushes!), but I'm pretty content and ready to move on to the box 'o Sisters that awaits. Thanks for a fun challenge!

Sorry to hear about your eyelid Para, hope you get well soon! And I second (or in fact third) an extension, so that your streak doesn't break.

Here is my entry, the Gor Half-Horn mini, that I will use as a tempestor prime. His chainsword may look clumsy, but he in fact never used it, because of his prowess with his archeotech plasma gun "Belle". No one got ever near enough, to challenge Gor to hand-to-hand-combat.

I'm glad I'm done with the models, there is so much stuff on it. I mean, he has three guns, two daggers, two grenades and the chainsword as weapons and so many pouches that Liefeld is weeping tears of joy somewhere.

Would have loved to make the cigar more glowing, but wasn't sure which colors would help. And the hazard stripes could have been better, perhaps he painted them on himself with his hooves

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Damn.. Blepharitis?

you shouldve painted something blind and seen how it looked.

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Extend the deadline as long as you need. Do you think a week would be enough time for you to have recovered sufficiently to paint something? If so, do that. Hell, close entries for the rest of us and don't post the voting thread until you're ready - we'll wait for you. No one could possibly object to an exception being made for the guy who has put in so many hours organising the challenges every month.

I have ended up painting something for this month after all, so I'm going to post the proof pic I took before I started it this morning, and hopefully final pics later tonight. I started it a week or so ago and it's 95% finished.

Some really great work done this month as always.

Para - we all agree that you should be allowed an extension - that you do all of the extra work every month, on top of your truly inspiring minis, and have granted plenty of people the same extension really means that you have well and truly earned it.
As Nev said, please give yourself the same consideration that you have given plenty of us many times before.

Here is my entry for this month. The basics are there but the finishes are not what I would normally hope for. Still, this took me a lot less time than usual so whilst the quality might not be improving, my speed definitely is.
That silly golden plastic is so soft, though! We've had 40 degree weather (celsius! equivalent of about 105 farhenheit for you imperial people) here yesterday and today, so that gold stuff was literally drooping in the heat!








Best of luck everyone and see you all for some big baddies next month.

Ironically, the light grey I use for basing has got mold growing in it and I don't know if I'll have time to get more and finish the bases, so... hope these will do

Here's my proof pic. Two models - Lelith Hesperax and a Lhamaean.

We'll see how far I get tonight... but I think I'mma gonna need the amnesty.

Here is my finished Jackal Alphus! Faces and glowing effects are still a challenge, but I'll get there. Overall I'm happy with the result.

 feltmonkey wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Extend the deadline as long as you need. Do you think a week would be enough time for you to have recovered sufficiently to paint something? If so, do that. Hell, close entries for the rest of us and don't post the voting thread until you're ready - we'll wait for you. No one could possibly object to an exception being made for the guy who has put in so many hours organising the challenges every month.

I have ended up painting something for this month after all, so I'm going to post the proof pic I took before I started it this morning, and hopefully final pics later tonight. I started it a week or so ago and it's 95% finished.

Felt said it perfectly, extend as long as you need, another 58 months streak awaits you, Para.

I may have thought that tomorrow is the 31st and that I had a hole extra day to finish off because I'm very bad at organising my life...

Painting furiously to try and get in by midnight, but my hand is starting to feel like a claw and I have yet to start the cloak...

First Infinity Biker unit done, ZondNautica.

Do you use a proper camera to take your photos? How do you get your background to be completely black?

Hey, yes I use Nikon D5300 with a macro lens. The mini is a bit elevated with a big black background, so the light doesn't reach the back completely.
Also I use dimmed light and I correct the light exposure in the software later on...I'll post my photo setup.

Here's my Shadowspear Eliminator Sarge. Forgot to charge my camera so this is whatever I managed to get out of my phone:



Now with better pics, FWIW:





His two pals are 80% done but I spent too much time messing with his cloak - still happy that I finished him on time -

So I’ve got one finished and I’ve just done the final washes on the other; any chance of posting photos tomorrow, once she’s had chance to dry?

Final pics with the good camera for mine:




Camera actually worked in my favor on this one, at least the first two, they don't look as nice to my eye in real life.

@queen_annes_revenge this is my set up, its pretty simple actually.

Not the best pictures from me, couldn't get my camera to talk to my laptop so had to use the phone and couldn't get the light right. Better than nothing though, here is my attempt at the dark elf assassin

 Nevelon wrote:

 Modock wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Damn, sorry to hear that Para, hope you get better soon...that's an incredible achievement you accomplished.
If you can paint in a day or two you could extend the challenge for few days I'm sure everybody would agree.
I'm for it 110%.

Para,

I’ll second Modock on this. If you need more time, take it. You have always been willing to push things out a bit for everyone else. We are more then willing to grant you the same. We can leave this one open for a little longer and start in on the next. We all know you only need 5 minutes to bang out a top level entry anyway.

Feel better, take what time you need. And cut yourself the same slack you would for everyone else!

I'd add my weight to an extension for Para, we're a fun community here and it wouldn't be the same without a para entry, we got to look after the boss
(still think you would beat me blind painting )

been trying to push and finish my entry this evening, will take the photos tomorrow as its bed time now.

 Midget Gems wrote:

 Nevelon wrote:

 Modock wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Not getting an entry in this month, due to an inflamed eyelid my vision has been too blurry to paint for the last 4 weeks, And while it's just about starting to recover, too late.

And so, I hand over the 'most entries' title squarely to Nevelon. For 58 months we've both got something in every single time, but now I fall behind while he soldiers on!
Absolutely gutted I couldn't quite pull off a five year entry streak!

Damn, sorry to hear that Para, hope you get better soon...that's an incredible achievement you accomplished.
If you can paint in a day or two you could extend the challenge for few days I'm sure everybody would agree.
I'm for it 110%.

Para,

I’ll second Modock on this. If you need more time, take it. You have always been willing to push things out a bit for everyone else. We are more then willing to grant you the same. We can leave this one open for a little longer and start in on the next. We all know you only need 5 minutes to bang out a top level entry anyway.

Feel better, take what time you need. And cut yourself the same slack you would for everyone else!

I'd add my weight to an extension for Para, we're a fun community here and it wouldn't be the same without a para entry, we got to look after the boss
(still think you would beat me blind painting )

been trying to push and finish my entry this evening, will take the photos tomorrow as its bed time now.

Fourth'd to this one! Para, you put all the hard work in and it would be an utter travesty if you didn't extend your own deadline like you do for all of us time and time again!

Managed to ignore my neighbour's brexit celebrations and transfer deadline gossip to finish off painting my Umbra Legate. But i'm not even going to post the phone camera pics i just took! Will try and get some decent pictures in the morning.

Here are my final pics. Lelith Hesperax and a Lhamaean.













These were an absolute NIGHTMARE to paint. They're both finecast, so the sculpts were full of holes. Every spike on each model ends in an air bubble, a little hole. Lelith had no chin - it was completely missing - so I had to sculpt it out of greenstuff. That chin is all my work. There were an absolute ton of hidden mould gates. A dozen times I had to stop painting halfway through to carve off some bit of resin that I hadn't realised at first wasn't meant to be part of the model. I'd have to keep repainting areas after chopping out a support I hadn't noticed. I broke all the extremities off the Lhamaean at one time or another. Never paint finecast. Absolutely never paint two finecast models at the same time. It will sap your will to live. On top of this, Lelith's sculpt is embarrassingly outdated and degrading to a great character. She's an absolute badass, the pinnacle of Drukhari martial skill. Why is she wearing a g-string? You really notice how sexist a sculpt is when you're carefully painting a thong into a model's buttcrack and beyond. She deserves an updated sculpt, with a more dignified outfit.

Both hilarious and exactly on the nose, feltmonkey. Also, beautifully painted.

Doesn't look like I'm going to make it either this month. Got most of the way there, then kind of lost my motivation or something. Maybe if we get an extension and I rally hard I could make it, but otherwise it ain't happening.

As promised, finished pictures of the latest recruits to my Escher gang, "The Slaying Sirens":












Automatically Appended Next Post:
Also, in case anyone's interested, here's my current photo setup:

 Jadenim wrote:

Also, in case anyone's interested, here's my current photo setup:

Spoiler:

Hehe, nice...are you going to paint it for the FINAL BOSS challenge?

Thanks for the words of support, folks. I will certainly endeavour to paint something if my recovery in the next few days allows. You're all being more than fair, I really do appreciate it.


It doesn't seem right to offer an extension of the deadline purely for myself though, so consider the next few days fair game for entries. Hopefully those of you who were close to finishing can get over the line, and the (seemingly many) folks having camera woes can get those sorted as well.

New round will go up later today as normal.

Done finally

 Modock wrote:
Hey, yes I use Nikon D5300 with a macro lens. The mini is a bit elevated with a big black background, so the light doesn't reach the back completely.
Also I use dimmed light and I correct the light exposure in the software later on...I'll post my photo setup.

Fair enough. I guess my phone and gsw light box don't cut it haha.

Was channeling my inner sith on this one after watching Rise of Skywalker.




Also getting distracted by painting a bunch of batroids to go with him didn't help getting him finished!

Didn't quite get as far as I wanted, but given that I'm on borrowed time: So calling it done. Thanks for the amnesty. :-(

Asha: Robot Rocket Miniatures: Scale: 1:10



The plinth doesn't have the final coat as I'm going to be going back and fixing mistakes after and there's no point in painting the base if I'm going to be handling it a lot. :-(

 MacPhail wrote:
Both hilarious and exactly on the nose, feltmonkey. Also, beautifully painted.

Thanks

New round is up https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/785039.page#10704378

@Jadenim: that is a beautiful cat!

@Para: Hope you're feeling better, and cheers for the extension. I'll need it.

That looks amazing Keezus, well done

As promised here is my finished Entry, An Ork Traktor Kannon (Mek Gun) - Auto hits FTW

Given the extension, I took the opportunity to finish the bases, touch up a few things and take better pics.

Paint! Paint has been applied to a miniature for the first time since before Christmas... Still can't really see what I'm doing, and it's hardly up to my usual standards, but thanks to the community's generosity in extending the deadline (and some 5x magnification lenses) it looks like my streak doesn't end here after all!

Pics tomorrow, so that's when I'll officially call this to a close. Goad a few more of you were able to get entries in as well

Good to hear...show must go on!

Aye Para we will drag you kicking and screaming into the Century of the Fruitbat ..... or at least the end of the challenge

Glad you were able to get your entry in Excommunicatus, nicely done with the highlights

Ok, I'm calling it. There are only so many times I can redo the cloack and time really should be up for this challenge for those of us not stricken like Paradigm.

Will take a couple more shots tomorrow with better lighting.




Also, well done everyone. Only had time to glance, but there's some great stuff here.

Here we go then. About as far from clumsy and random as you can get with Stormtroopers, which might not be much but it just about fits and white on black is easy enough to do with crap vision. Took me about twice as long as it ordinarily would, but it felt so good to finally be productive and put paint to plastic. Thanks once again to everyone who pushed me to get this done, it was much-needed motivation.




And with that, we'll call it a wrap. Give me a couple of days and I'll try and get the vote sorted.

Superb job! Well worth the wait.

Half blind and pressed for time, and you still manage a top notch mini.

Great to see you still in the game!

Better pics:



I know the part of the cloak furthest to the left in the rear view may look unfinished, but it's the darker colour because it's actually part of the cloak lining which has billowed out and around the model. It's maybe a little difficult to see that.



Para, it's ridiculous that that's your quality of work while half blind.

Poll for last month is up, go vote everyone on the penultimate month of this years challenge!

https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/0/785265.page#10710863